Ag. CGC affirms dedication to resolving mutual concerns with Benin customs

Story from Haruna YUSUF

A delegation from the Nigeria Customs Service, led by the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, traveled to the Republic of Benin on Monday, July 24, 2023, in alignment with the government’s commitment to promoting trade and strengthening the Nigerian economy on a global scale.

During their visit, the delegation met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin, at the Nigerian Embassy. Subsequently, they were warmly received by Mr. Alain Hinkati, the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, as well as customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control. The team also had the opportunity to explore the customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, gaining valuable insights into its processes and operations.

Engaging with stakeholders from both countries, the chiefs of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Customs Administration addressed various concerns, including the request to review the possibility of reopening the border and resolving administrative charge issues.

The visit primarily aimed to deepen collaborations in areas of mutual interest, as expressed by the Acting Comptroller General of Customs. He emphasized the importance of building a strong partnership with the customs administration of Benin and highlighted the remarkable progress made in the port of Cotonou, particularly in reducing clearance time, eliminating congestion, and employing technology to streamline operations. Nigeria Customs expressed its commitment to adopting similar trade facilitation measures to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for businesses.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint communique was signed by both delegations, outlining the following key points:

– Continuing efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and facilitating the movement of goods, especially community products.

– Streamlining the issuance of Laisse passe for short stays using registered means of transport from one country to another.
– Removing barriers and obstacles that hinder legitimate trade, establishing Customs units where necessary, and ensuring strict compliance with transit rules.

– Harmonizing the list of prohibited products between the two countries.

– Expediting Nigeria’s integration into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

– Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources;

– Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest;

– The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations;

– The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector;

– Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance;

– Securing the international supply chain.

Meanwhile, the Ag. CGC and his delegation had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, his Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON, on Sunday, 23rd of July, expressing the desire to initiate a new turning point marked by close collaboration in all areas.

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